Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 4:01 pm
Hi all,
its been a while since I checked into SkiNC. I'm busy guiding rafts on the New and Gauley Rivers here in WV. Since I work in the vacation industry, I never take one for myself. I was fortunate enought to have friend invite me along to Scotland in 2007 & 2009, travelling to the Isle of Skye. For the 2011 trip, I wanted to do some of my own things, so I saved my money and went over before my friends, so I could do some whitewater boating and more advanced hill-walking. I was hosted on the first part of my stay by the fine folks at Ace Adventures UK www.aceadventures.co.uk Here are some of my favorite pics of the hundreds I took.
The River Findhorn:
Me in Corkscrew Rapid of the Findhorn:
At the bottom of Triple Step:
The 1st Drop of the River Moriston, which empties into Loch Ness:
Really gripped running this one:
The River Divie. A trib of the Findhorn, it was never up enough to paddle while I was there. A very nice stream though, with a trail along it which started right in front of where I stayed.
After a hearty week with the Ace crew, I travelled west across Scotland to get into the highlands. Looking over the Cairngorms National Park:
Am I in Scotland, or Utah?
Ben Macdui, the 2nd highest Point in the UK is in the background. I would be there later.
Reindeer herd, once native to here, but long since exterminated. Reintroduced in the '50's and thriving now:
The following day I set out for the summit of Ben Nevis (rt), the highest point in the UK (4409'), which is up from sea level, and with the lattitude, has an arctic climate. To get there, I climbed Carn Mor Dearg and walked the arete over to Nevis, one of the classic hikes in Britain:
Along the ridge:
Looking down at where I came from. The clouds never lifted:
On the summit, very cold here:
The next day I linked up with my US friends and it was off to Skye. The Quiraing:
Climbed Marsco this day, the peak in the center:
Looking over Glen Sligichan, the Cuillin Hills, and the sea:
Evening view from right in front of our cottage:
Which featured 24 hr security:
An abandoned village:
Typical coastal scene in Waternish:
Bla Bhein was the target for this trip:
On the way up:
Got socked in at the top:
The next big adventure was to paddle from the island in sea-kayaks across to the mainland and bag a peak, Bein Sgrithheall:
its been a while since I checked into SkiNC. I'm busy guiding rafts on the New and Gauley Rivers here in WV. Since I work in the vacation industry, I never take one for myself. I was fortunate enought to have friend invite me along to Scotland in 2007 & 2009, travelling to the Isle of Skye. For the 2011 trip, I wanted to do some of my own things, so I saved my money and went over before my friends, so I could do some whitewater boating and more advanced hill-walking. I was hosted on the first part of my stay by the fine folks at Ace Adventures UK www.aceadventures.co.uk Here are some of my favorite pics of the hundreds I took.
The River Findhorn:
Me in Corkscrew Rapid of the Findhorn:
At the bottom of Triple Step:
The 1st Drop of the River Moriston, which empties into Loch Ness:
Really gripped running this one:
The River Divie. A trib of the Findhorn, it was never up enough to paddle while I was there. A very nice stream though, with a trail along it which started right in front of where I stayed.
After a hearty week with the Ace crew, I travelled west across Scotland to get into the highlands. Looking over the Cairngorms National Park:
Am I in Scotland, or Utah?
Ben Macdui, the 2nd highest Point in the UK is in the background. I would be there later.
Reindeer herd, once native to here, but long since exterminated. Reintroduced in the '50's and thriving now:
The following day I set out for the summit of Ben Nevis (rt), the highest point in the UK (4409'), which is up from sea level, and with the lattitude, has an arctic climate. To get there, I climbed Carn Mor Dearg and walked the arete over to Nevis, one of the classic hikes in Britain:
Along the ridge:
Looking down at where I came from. The clouds never lifted:
On the summit, very cold here:
The next day I linked up with my US friends and it was off to Skye. The Quiraing:
Climbed Marsco this day, the peak in the center:
Looking over Glen Sligichan, the Cuillin Hills, and the sea:
Evening view from right in front of our cottage:
Which featured 24 hr security:
An abandoned village:
Typical coastal scene in Waternish:
Bla Bhein was the target for this trip:
On the way up:
Got socked in at the top:
The next big adventure was to paddle from the island in sea-kayaks across to the mainland and bag a peak, Bein Sgrithheall: